After an encouraging start to the season, Strahinja Pavlovic has slightly dropped off radar a bit having played just one minute in the last three games.
As Corriere dello Sport (via MilanNews) report this morning, Pavlovic fell victim to the fact that Matteo Gabbia and Fikayo Tomori played well in the derby win over Inter and the decision from Fonseca not to rotate the team.
Since the September international break, when factoring in both Serie A and the Champions League, Pavlovic has played just 91 minutes. He was one most expensive purchases of the summer transfer window for Milan, and was starting to get going not only physically but also and above all technically.
He showed a lot of heart in his early performances to the extent that fans believed he was setting an example to team-mates who had had difficulty approaching matches with the same intensity, yet he did make some errors that cost him his spot.
The Portuguese coach did not want to touch the team that won the derby in order to try build some consistency and cohesion. This decision backfired a bit, also because against Fiorentina Tomori did not have a good game and was at the centre of a penalty debacle.
In light of this, the Englishman could be given a rest against Udinese with Pavlovic a candidate for a starting spot in the centre of defence alongside Gabbia. Fonseca must revitalise a player like the Serb, because he is left-footed, physical, good in the air and is used to playing a high line.
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Pavlovic is better than Tomori especially in when dealing with aerial balls and big strikers. Pavlovic is also very quick. He’s only 23 and he needs to work on his passing and staying calm but he’s a better defender than Tomori in my opinion.
Tomori is still useful and he should be used as a right back. He’s good with both feet and Tomori should be strongly considered as a RB and a backup for Theo at left back.